Solar panel mounting apparatus and system

ABSTRACT

An aspect of the present disclosure provides solar panel mounting system comprising a hub and a girder assembly. The hub may comprise a plurality of attachment points on its exterior. The girder assembly may comprise a plurality of top girders configured to be mechanically fastened to each other at their proximal ends, and having a distance between their distal ends that is greater than a distance between the proximal ends of the top girders. The girder assembly may also comprise a plurality of bottom configured to be mechanically fastened to each other at their proximal ends and the plurality of top girders at their distal ends. Further, the girder assembly and one of the plurality of attachment points of the hub may be configured to be mechanically fastened to each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/200,373 filed on Aug. 3, 2015 and entitled “SOLAR PANEL MOUNTING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all proper purposes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to systems and apparatuses for mounting solar panels. In particular, but without limitation, the present disclosure relates to mounting solar panels on posts and poles in order to efficiently use space while simultaneously increasing solar power generation.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Solar panels are increasingly being used to provide renewable energy in a number of applications. For example, homeowners can now have solar panels installed including on their rooftops, business owners can install them on commercial buildings, and large-scale users and utility companies can have dedicated solar arrays in fields for generating large amounts of power. Smaller-scale applications have also become popular. One common small-scale application is to power streetlights. In existing solar streetlight applications, one or two solar panel modules are typically mounted in a south facing orientation and are attached to an existing streetlight pole. Some of these solar streetlight designs include batteries for storing generated solar power, which allow for off-grid lighting applications that are useful when it is cost-prohibitive to extend utility power from a grid to the streetlight location. For example, many solar streetlights are on remote highways, which are difficult to connect to a grid. On these kinds of streetlights, solar power modules (also known and referred to herein as solar panels, photovoltaic panels or modules, or PV panels or modules) are typically mounted using a triangle cantilevered out from the main pole. Many solar-powered street and parking lot lights combine the benefits of LED lighting (e.g., low energy usage, long lifespan) with the renewable solar power to light the LEDs, which conserves the amount of energy needed to provide light.

For any solar power application, the total installed cost and value proposition to the end customer (i.e., the consumer of the energy produced) are major considerations for the widespread adoption of solar technology for that particular application. Current designs of solar powered streetlights are focused on maximizing power output per module simply for the purposes of powering the light, and do not consider maximizing the power generation possible from the location of each pole. Therefore, only small solar panels, in small numbers, have heretofore been attached to existing poles, and the applications of solar power generated from solar panels attached to poles has been limited. This is because the weight and space of many existing solar panels makes it difficult to physically attach solar panels to poles. Several other challenges to doing so exist as well. For example attaching one or more solar panels to a pole would have to account for wind, weather, and the challenge of connecting produced power to individual users or a grid.

Given the ubiquity of existing poles that sit in direct sunlight all day, however, an opportunity exists for apparatuses and systems for mounting solar panels to such poles and connecting the power produced therefrom to end users.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure provides solar panel mounting system comprising a hub. The hub itself may comprise a receptacle in a center portion of the hub apparatus, the receptacle shaped to receive a pole, and a plurality of attachment points affixed to an exterior side of the receptacle. The system may also comprise a girder assembly, which itself comprises a plurality of top girders each having a proximal end and a distal end, each of the plurality of top girders being configured to be mechanically fastened to each other at their proximal ends, and having a distance between the distal ends of the top girders that is greater than any distance between the proximal ends of the top girders when the girder assembly is assembled. The girder assembly may also comprise a plurality of bottom girders each having a proximal and a distal end, each of the plurality of bottom girders being configured to be mechanically fastened to each other at their proximal ends and each of the plurality of bottom girders being configured to be mechanically fastened to the plurality of top girders. The girder assembly and one of the plurality of attachment points of the hub may be configured to be mechanically fastened to each other.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a solar panel mounting system which may comprise one or more girder assemblies configured to be mechanically fastened to one or more hubs, the one or more hubs configured to be mechanically fastened to a pole, wherein the one or more girder assemblies are configured to be mechanically fastened to and to support the weight of two or more solar panels, each of the two or more solar panels being spaced equidistantly from at least one other solar panels in relation to the pole.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure provides a solar panel mounting system which may comprise a hub and girder assembly. The hub itself may comprise a receptacle in a center portion of the hub shaped to receive a pole, and a plurality of attachment points affixed to an exterior of the receptacle. The girder assembly may comprise a top girder having a proximal end and a distal end, each of the top girders being configured to be mechanically fastened to the hub at its proximal end and a bottom girder having a proximal and a distal end, the bottom girder being configured to be mechanically fastened to the hub at its proximal end and configured to be mechanically fastened to the top girder at its distal end. The girder assembly may also comprise a purlin configured to be mechanically fastened to the top girder and configured to be mechanically fastened to a second purlin from a second girder assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a solar panel mounting apparatus of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a solar panel mounting apparatus of the present disclosure with solar panels attached.

FIG. 3 is side perspective view of a girder assembly upon which a solar panel may be mounted according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a hub for mounting girders to poles according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows subcomponents of a girder assembly that may be used to assemble girders of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a side view and a side perspective view, respectively, of a single girder assembly with a solar panel attached.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the solar panel mounting apparatus of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show subcomponents and full assemblies of girders in an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a girder assembly of the present disclosure that may be used to mount two solar panels.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C show top, bottom, and side views, respectively, of a solar panel mounting apparatus of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows an electrical and connectivity box that may be attached to and integrated with the solar panel mounting apparatus of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a structure for mounting a PV module on a pole, such that multiple PV modules may be mounted on and around one pole in a radial configuration. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary configuration of a PV mounting system 100 of the present disclosure without any PV modules attached. As shown, the mounting system 100 is arranged such that when PV modules are mounted to it, the solar panels form an umbrella-shaped canopy comprised of a plurality of PV modules. Turning to FIG. 2, show is a mounting system 200 with PV panels attached. The mechanisms and apparatuses comprising the mounting systems 100 and 200 of FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described in greater detail throughout the disclosure. Although seven individual mounting structures (also referred to herein as girder assemblies) 101-108 are shown in FIG. 1, any number of PV modules may be mounted on a pole using the mounting structures of the present disclosure.

There are several advantages to using the mounting structures of the present disclosure. One advantage is that existing pole structures that were not necessarily originally designed for solar power generation may now be used for such purposes. Often, solar panels are mounted on large, uninterrupted, sloped surfaces, for several reasons. One reason is that solar panels can be relatively heavy—approximately 50 lbs. each, in many cases. They are often rectangular, and in order to maximize the space on an available surface, the rectangular modules are mounted with their sides flush against one another. Many existing mounts for solar panels are arranged so that the rectangular panels line up in rows. The main reason solar panels are mounted at an angle relative to the ground, instead of flat, is that the angle increases the amount of sun exposure. Because of the need to mount heavy, rectangular panels at an angle, the most common surfaces for mounting solar panels are rooftops of buildings, rooftops of carports, and open fields.

Mounting PV panels on rooftops of buildings is often considered the most advantageous location to place them, because it makes use of space exposed to the sun that is not being used for other purposes. However, there are some drawbacks to mounting PV panels on rooftops. For example, it is generally preferable (in the northern hemisphere) to mount PV panels on south-facing or west-facing portions of rooftops in order to maximize sun exposure. If a particular rooftop is configured such that it does not have a large surface area that faces south or west, it may be inefficient to install PV panels on that particular rooftop. Even if a rooftop does have a large south or west facing surface area, other barriers to installation can exist. For example, the number of panels needed to generate sufficient energy for the building might exceed the weight that the roof can bear. This problem can be especially acute in commercial buildings, where the building itself has large power demands, but space on the rooftop is limited by other fixtures. For example, commercial buildings can have large numbers of fixtures protruding from the ceiling for various HVAC and electrical requirements, which can limit the space available to install PV panels. In some cases, trees or other buildings can cast shade on otherwise optimal spots for PV panel installation on a roof.

Many commercial buildings that have limitations of rooftop space have surrounding parking lots, which are often used as alternative installation locations. In order to install a large number of solar panels, some users have built carports, which have the advantages of having roofs with large, uninterrupted surface areas sloped at ideal angles for maximizing power generation. Carports also provide shade for cars parked underneath. A main disadvantage to building a carport is cost. Parking lots may also have existing landscaping, including trees, plants, medians, and existing light poles that may need to be removed or designed around in order to build a carport. Zoning regulations may also impede the construction of a large carport structure.

Open field and open space solar panel installations are typically only seen in locations where the land is not used for any other purpose. It can be advantageous to use otherwise unused open land to install solar panels because ground-based mounts can be pointed and angled in the most ideal direction and manner. In suburban or urban environments, however, large installations of solar panels on the ground, in open space or fields, is often impractical because of the cost of the space or the unavailability of such open space in general. Even space in a park or on farmland is unlikely to be used for solar installations because such an installation would detract from the intended use of the space.

The PV mounting structures and systems of the present disclosure provide a number of advantages in view of the challenges associated with installing PV panels in other locations, which will become apparent throughout the disclosure. Turning to FIG. 3, shown is an exemplary girder assembly 300, which may be used for mounting a single PV panel. Girder assembly 300 comprises two top girders 302, 304, the proximal ends 303, 305 of which may be configured to be mechanically fastened to each other or to additional structures and form a point of attachment to a pole. The distal ends 306, 307 of the top girders 302, 304 may be spaced apart from each other to form a base of support for a PV panel. The ends of the top girders 302, 304 are referred to herein as “proximal” and “distal” in relation to a central pole to which the girder assembly 300 may ultimately be joined. As shown, the distal ends 306, 307 of the top girders 302, 304 are spaced apart underneath a location where the PV module would be mounted, and the top girders 302 and 304 taper together until they join at their proximal ends 303, 305 at the point of attachment to each other.

The girder assembly 300 also comprises bottom girders 312, 214, which may attach or be otherwise configured to be mechanically fastened at their respective proximal ends 313, 315 to each other. The bottom girders 312, 314 may be attached at their distal ends 316, 317 to an upper module mounting purlin 320, which will be described presently. Alternatively, the bottom girders 312, 314 may be attached to the top girders 302, 304. The bottom girders 312, 314 may be attached to the top girders 302, 304, or to the upper module mounting purlin 320 by bolts, screws, or other similar fastening hardware. It is also contemplated that the bottom girders 312, 314 may be fastened indirectly to the top girders 302, 304, or upper module mounting purlin 320, such as through a connecting plate or hinge. Alternatively, the bottom girders 312, 314 may be attached by welding or pressure fitting. Throughout the disclosure, any points of connection between components of the girder assembly, the hub apparatus (to be described in further detail later in this disclosure, and the pole) may be mechanically fastened, attached, or otherwise assembled in any manner described throughout the disclosure. As another example of a mechanical fastening method, aspects of the disclosure may include custom molded mating fittings of various material composition, which may allow for insertion or locking mechanisms to join any components of the solar panel mounting apparatus. The embodiments of the components shown herein may have pre-drilled holes to configure a component to be mechanically fastened to another, but this type of mechanical fastening is only one of the many methods contemplated. The girder assembly 300 also comprises a lower module mounting purlin 330, which may be attached to the girders by a bolted or other mechanical fastening connection.

Before describing additional aspects of the girder assembly 300, it is helpful to turn briefly to FIG. 4, which shows embodiments of individual components of the girder assembly 300 described in FIG. 3. Shown is a girder plate 402, which may comprise a metal (or other material) plate with pre-drilled holes for accepting bolts or other attachment hardware. Also shown is a hub girder 401. Turning back to FIG. 3, a girder plate 340 is shown connecting a hub girder 341 and top girders 302, 304 at their proximal end 303, 305. Though not visible in FIG. 3, another girder plate may connect the hub girder 341 and top girders 302, 304 on the undersides of the top girders 302, 304. Another girder plate 342 (or two of them) may similarly connect another hub girder 343 and the bottom girders 312, 314. The use of the girder plate 342 is one example of a way to indirectly fasten components of the girder assembly 300. Returning to FIG. 4, shown are embodiments of a module purlin 403 (which may be used as either the upper 320 or lower module mounting purlin 330), a top girder 404, and a bottom girder 405.

Though FIG. 4 shows a top girder 404 as a rigid, rectangular, hollow tube, other embodiments may be differently shaped. For example, the top girder 404 may be cylindrical, or not hollow. It is also contemplated that the top girder 404 may not necessarily be rigid. In some embodiments, the top girder 404 may comprise a cable. In embodiments utilizing a cable as a top girder, the cable may be kept in tension by its attachment point to the pole at the top and the weight of the solar panel while solar panel is supported by the bottom girder.

Additionally, though FIG. 3 shows two module mounting purlins, including the upper 320 and lower 330 module mounting purlins, in some embodiments, mounting purlins may not be necessary, in which case the solar panels may be mounted directly to the top girders. An additional embodiment is contemplated wherein only one top girder is used in a girder assembly instead of two. In such an embodiment, one or more module mounting purlins may be used to provide mounting stability for the width of a solar panel, and a module mounting purlin of one girder assembly may be attached to a module mounting purlin of a neighboring girder assembly for lateral stability. The use of one girder may provide the advantage of decreasing the overall weight of the girder assemblies mounted on a pole. The actual embodiments used may depend on varying needs of given applications, such as amount of vertical or lateral stability, weight of the total installed system, anticipated wind loads, and ease of construction, to name a few.

Each of the components of FIG. 4 are exemplary embodiments having pre-drilled holes configured to allow easy mechanical fastening of the components. An advantage of having separate components with pre-drilled holes is that the components may be shipped in a disassembled state and assembled by any end-user. However, it is contemplated that other embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented by mounting structures that are pre-assembled, or which may unitarily constructed. For example, girder assemblies may be entirely welded together in some embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 5, shown is an embodiment of a central mounting hub apparatus that may be used to attach a plurality of girder assemblies to a pole. In the embodiment shown, the hub 500 has a circular receptacle in its center defined by a wall 501, and a plurality of mounting brackets 502-510 protruding from the exterior of the wall 501. In other embodiments, the central mounting hub may have an octagonal receptacle for receiving and octagonal pole, a square receptacle for a square pole, or any other geometrically-shaped receptacle to conform to other kinds of poles. That is, embodiments of hubs of the present disclosure may be substantially similar on their exteriors, but differ in the shapes of their respective central openings for the purpose of accommodating differently-shaped poles. An advantage of using differently-shaped hubs is that the same girder assemblies can be adapted to fit a variety of existing poles and posts, with only the hub needing to be changed. Other geometrical shapes of the interior of the hub are contemplated. As shown, the wall may comprise one or more holes to allow the hub to be bolted to a pole.

In the embodiment shown, the central mounting hub has eight pairs of girder mounting brackets, though clearly other numbers of brackets (such as seven) are contemplated. Other types of attachment points may be used instead of the brackets shown herein. It is contemplated that other extrusions can be used to fit or insert girder assemblies to the central mounting hub. For example, though not shown, a hub girder may be comprised of a tube and may fit around an extrusion and be fastened from the outside of the hub girder. In the embodiment shown, each mounting bracket may comprise two spokes, such as spokes 526 and 536. Each spoke of a pair comprising a mounting bracket may extend from the wall 501 in substantially the same direction as the other spoke of the pair. A pair of mounting spokes 526, 536 may provide an attachment interface with a girder assembly, such as through the hub girder 341 of girder assembly 300 in FIG. 3. A pair of mounting spokes 526, 536 may be attached to a girder assembly by bolts or other suitable hardware. A bolt may attach the hub girder to the mounting brackets via pre-drilled holes in the spokes. Though many examples throughout the present disclosure related to embodiments using at least one central mounting hub, it is contemplated that girder assemblies of the present disclosure may actually be mounted without a central mounting hub. For example, a girder assembly may be directly welded to a post.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the central mounting hub apparatus has eight mounting brackets 502-510, but other embodiments may have more or fewer brackets, in order to accommodate different numbers of girder assemblies and corresponding PV panels. A central mounting hub could even be used for mounting a single girder assembly. In many embodiments, the central hub may be constructed as a unitary piece, and may be attached with one or more bolts or other fastening hardware to the pole itself, through one or more holes formed in the wall 510. Alternatively, a central mounting hub could be constructed in two pieces, with bolts attaching the two pieces of the central mounting hub together around the pole. Such an embodiment of the central mounting hub may reduce or eliminate shear stress on bolts that would be present in the single-piece construction embodiment. Some existing light posts are tapered, such that they are smallest at the top and widen towards the bottom. Certain embodiments of the central mounting hub, may be attached to such a tapered pole with limited hardware, with the geometry of the tapered pole preventing the hub from sliding down past a certain point and thereby supporting the weight of the hub. Alternative designs of the interior of the hub are contemplated, such as angling the interior surface, to increase the support and reduce stress on the surfaces of the hub.

FIG. 6A shows a side view of a PV panel 600A and how it may be attached to the upper and lower module mounting purlins 620A and 630A. FIG. 6B shows a top perspective view of the same, with PV panel 600B attached to upper and lower module mounting purlins 620B and 630B. The PV panels 600A may be attached to the upper and lower module mounting purlins 620A and 630A by mounting hardware such as screws or bolts. In many embodiments, the upper and lower module mounting purlins 620A and 630A may have mounting holes and hardware that conform to industry standard sizes for PV panels.

In many embodiments of the disclosure, the girder assembly 610A, as shown in FIG. 6A, forms particular acute angles between a pole 650A, the top girders 625A, and the bottom girders 627A. For example, in one embodiment, the top girders 325A may form an approximately 15° angle with the pole 650A at the top hub attachment point 655A. Other angles may be formed between the pole 650A and the top hub attachment point 655A. Structures and mechanisms used for the top hub attachment 655A may include the previously described hub and hub girder, but may also comprise other types of attachments. The bottom girders 627A may form a 15° angle with the pole 650A at the lower support attachment point 660A when both the top girders 625A and the bottom girders 627A are attached to the pole 650A. In some embodiments, the bottom girders 627A may be bolted or welded directly to the pole 650A, and in other embodiments, the bottom girders 627A may be attached to a second lower hub. The angled relationship between the girders 625A, the bottom girders 627A, and the pole 650A allow the top girders 625A to be pulled into tension, thereby allowing the PV panel to be held at an angle along the length of the girders 625A, while simultaneously pushing down on the bottom girders 627A and transferring the weight of the PV panel 600A to the pole 650A. The connection between the top and/or bottom hub attachments and top and bottom girders may provide lateral stability to each girder assembly and its associated PV panel in order to prevent excessive movement as a result of lateral wind loads. In some embodiments, particularly when higher than average lateral wind loads are anticipated, additional structures may be added to enhance lateral stability. For example, lateral bracing may be added at various points along the girder assembly, or the top module purlins may all be connected once each girder assemble has been installed.

An advantage of the configuration of the girder assembly as shown is that a PV panel may be supported in a stable manner while held at an angle, mounted on a pole. It is contemplated that other suitable angles may also be formed in other embodiments of the girder assembly 610A for the purposes of supporting PV panel weight at various angles. Some advantages of the girder assembly for mounting a single PV panel include that each PV panel is individually supported, users can choose exactly what number of PV panels to mount and where, and multiple PV panels mounted next to each other may be at substantially the same height and angle. PV panels may be spaced equidistantly from each other in relation to the pole. As previously discussed, the girder assemblies described throughout this disclosure may, in many embodiments, be modular and easy to install. Therefore, girder assemblies and module mounting purlins may be either assembled on-site where they are to be installed for ease of transport, or pre-assembled off-site to improve installation efficiency.

FIG. 7 shows a bottom perspective view of a solar panel mounting system 700 as previously described fully assembled and installed on an exemplary street light pole 710.

Other embodiments of the disclosure provide a structure for mounting PV modules in pairs of two, such that they are oriented on opposite ends of an axis that is supported in the middle by a pole. The basic building block can be a chord assembly, which includes the PV solar modules mounted as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. FIG. 8A shows an embodiment of a bottom chord assembly 810A, which may comprise a pair of bottom chords 811A, lower module mounting purlins 812A and 813A, mounting brackets 814A, and mounting hardware 815A (e.g., screws or bolts). FIG. 8A also shows an embodiment of a top chord assembly 820A, which may comprise similar elements as the bottom chord assembly 810A, though certain elements may be different in size from those of the bottom chord assembly 810A. For example, the top chord assembly 820A may comprise top chords 821A, which may be shorter than bottom chords 811A. Top chord assembly 820A may also comprise top mounting purlins 822A and 823A, mounting brackets, and mounting hardware.

FIG. 8A also shows an entire assembled module mounting block assembly 830A, which comprises the bottom chord assembly 810A, the top chord assembly 820A, and two PV modules 832A and 834A. A perspective view of a module mounting block assembly 830B is shown in FIG. 8B. As shown, a bottom chord assembly 810B is attached to lower portions of PV modules 832B and 834B, and a top chord assembly 820B is attached to upper portions of PV modules 832B and 834B. The bottom and top chord assemblies 810B, 820B may be attached via mounting brackets 814A and mounting hardware 815A, as shown in FIG. 8A, or may be attached by alternative fasteners. FIG. 8A also shows a configuration of multiple module mounting block assemblies attached to a light pole 870A according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown, PV modules 840A, 850A, and 860A are all mounted on separate chord assemblies. Advantages to mounting PV modules in pairs using a chord assembly are that two PV panels can provide balance to each other in relation to an attachment point at a pole, and a chord assemblies that are mounted together in stacks may provide additional stability to the other assemblies. Additionally, some users may prefer the aesthetic of adjacent PV modules being different heights in relation to one another.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a chord assembly 900 for mounting PV panels in pairs of two. Many structural aspects of this embodiment are similar to the chord assemblies shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. In this embodiment, a pair of top chords 912 may be angled such that the distal ends 911, 913 of the chords are flush with the desired angle of the PV modules throughout the entire length of the solar panel. The chord assembly 900 may provide additional structural support for holding the angle of the PV module.

FIG. 10A shows a top view of a fully assembled PV mounting system 1000A in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 10B shows a bottom view of the same system 1000B, and FIG. 10C shows a side view of the same system 1000C. When the system 1000A, 1000B or 1000C is assembled and comprises a number of PV panels—eight in the embodiment shown—the system 1000A, 1000B or 1000C may generate a significant amount of solar power, especially in relation to the amount of space it takes up on the ground. Indeed, the space on the ground may be considered negligible, because it is only the footprint of an existing pole itself. An advantage to having the PV modules arranged in the configuration of the system 1000 is that because there is space between each PV module, and the modules are not lined up flush with one another to create a single large surface area, it is less likely that wind blowing in from any one direction will create a large wind load in that one direction.

A number of suitable materials may be used for the construction of the girder assemblies and central hubs. Several important considerations in the choice of materials are strength, weight, and weather resistance. Strength is important because of the weight of the PV panels and the fact that the large, flat, angled design of a single PV panel itself makes them prone to catching wind at multiple angles, which can put additional pressure on the girders themselves. Additionally, the weight of the girders and struts themselves is important, because it is preferable not to contribute unnecessary extra weight to the already-heavy PV panels. Weather resistance is also a key consideration, given that the materials will be exposed to all outdoor weather conditions. Further, portions of the girders and struts may also be used to house electrical wires and other electrical components in order to route the generated electricity away from the assembly itself, so weather resistance is important to minimize interference with such components. Therefore, in many embodiments, the girder assemblies, hubs, and components thereof may be fabricated out of metals, such as steel, aluminum, or composites. However, other suitable materials that are strong enough to support the weight of the PV panels and withstand outdoor elements may be used, such as polymers or plastics.

It is contemplated that aluminum or steel may be used for the girders and purlins, while other components may be made of different materials. To reduce weight and allow for the housing of electrical components, the girders and purlins may be of tube or channel construction. In some embodiments, the top girders may be of channel construction, and slightly larger in diameter than the struts, which may be of tube construction, so that the bottom girders may be nested within the top girders during shipping.

The system 1000A, 1000B or 1000C may have several features that allow for efficient use of the power generated by the solar panels. Another aspect of the present disclosure provides apparatuses for conveniently housing and attaching electrical and connectivity components to the system. FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of an electrical and connectivity box 1100. In many embodiments, the electrical and connectivity box 1100 may house one or more DC-to-AC inverters. Solar power is typically produced as DC power and must be converted to AC for many applications, including sending it to a building, a power outlet, or a utility grid. Depending on the embodiment, the electrical and connectivity box and/or DC-to-AC inverters may be located underneath one or more PV panels, attached to a portion of the girder assembly, or mounted on or near an existing pole itself.

In embodiments where an individual inverter is mounted directly to each PV panel (e.g., directly to the back, near a junction box), a particular type of inverter known as a “micro-inverter” may be used. Alternatively, if micro-inverters are not used, DC-DC converters or optimizers may be mounted to each PV panel, and then wired to a single inverter that is mounted on the pole. In any of the listed embodiments, the AC that is eventually produced from PV modules and their associated inverters may be wired in parallel and connected to the existing light pole conductors. The conductors for each solar PV module may be attached to and run along or inside of the girders. Conductors from the solar modules and any existing lights from the post may be connected in parallel and run inside of the post. A junction box may be used to combine the solar PV modules and lighting conductors in parallel, which may be housed in, for example, the electrical and connectivity box 1100. A traditional light pole electrical access point may be provided at the base of the light pole to make connections to the existing electrical system and for troubleshooting.

In many embodiments, the solar panel mounting system of the present disclosure (either with or without electrical and connectivity boxes) may be installed on existing light poles, such as those that light streets and parking lots. One apparent benefit from the system is that many existing street lights of any type may be retrofitted not only to power their existing lights, because the multiple solar panels will easily provide more than enough power for the light, but that excess power can also be generated and sent elsewhere. The PV panels mounted with this system may be installed at various heights on the pole, because different types and sizes of hubs can be used. Therefore, even if it is not desirable to install the system at the top height of the pole for any reason, the system may still be installed at a lower height. In other embodiments, the system may be constructed with an entirely new pole or post for a new application. For example, a parking lot previously devoid of shade or power generation could utilize new posts and the system to provide both shade and a new power source. A naturally occurring benefit of the systems of the present disclosure is that the PV panels, when installed, may provide a significant amount of shade where there was none before. Additionally, embodiments of the system may be equipped with shade panels of a canopy to provide even more shade. For example, shade panels may be attached in between individual PV panels or a canopy may be attached to cover the center of an assembled system. In some embodiments, the canopy may be removable or retractable to accommodate for wind or precipitation.

The possible applications of a PV panel mounting system are numerous, and may be implemented in various sizes. For example, a shorter pole may be constructed and a PV panel mounting system may be installed on livestock grazing fields, providing shade for the animals and a power source. In many embodiments, large or small, one or more AC power outlets may be installed near the base of the pole for an individual's use. In a commercial parking lot, customers could charge their phones and groundskeepers could plug in electrical landscaping tools, rather than using inefficient and polluting gas-powered tools. In a park, or by a pool, such systems could be installed for extra shade, outlets for music players, and provide extra power generation for a city or municipality. An advantage to installing the system of the present disclosure in a park, or anywhere remote, is that such systems may be stand-alone and coupled with a battery to power a light at night. No utility electrical wires would need to be run to the new pole, and it would provide light for increased safety and access.

Another application of the solar panel mounting apparatus is to provide structural support and power connections for vehicle and battery chargers. As electric and other rechargeable vehicles become more prevalent, the need for vehicle charging stations is becoming greater. Because it is contemplated that PV mounting systems of the present disclosure will be installed in parking lots, along roads, and near residences and businesses, it would be advantageous to attach chargers to the systems. Embodiments of the disclosure may include wiring for solar panels to chargers, batteries for storing extra solar power, converters and/or inverters, structural mounts for chargers, and chargers themselves. Some of these components may be housed in the electrical and connectivity box of the present disclosure.

Smaller, but very similar systems could be installed in an outdoor seating area of a restaurant or coffee shop, or in individual homeowner's backyard. An outdoor entertainment center—even one somewhat far from a house—could be made of the system as it provides shade like an umbrella, power outlets for individual entertainment devices, and electrical connections for installing a sound system, fans, heaters, or other electronic devices. In certain embodiments, the electrical and connectivity box 1100 may house the connections and or/hardware for these features. itself. For example, the electrical and connectivity box 1100 may itself comprise an audio speaker, a fan, a wireless transceiver (e.g., for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth), and other hardware components. Additionally, a home or small-business-sized version of the system could even be configured with an external plug to provide extra power to the home or business directly or through a solar energy storage battery. Various methods of integration with a smart-home environment and computer applications are contemplated.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A solar panel mounting system comprising: a hub comprising: a receptacle in a center portion of the hub shaped to receive a pole; and a plurality of attachment points affixed to an exterior portion of the receptacle; and a girder assembly comprising: a plurality of top girders each having a proximal end and a distal end, each of the plurality of top girders being configured to be mechanically fastened to each other at their proximal ends, and each of the plurality of top girders having a distance between the distal ends of the top girders that is greater than a distance between the proximal ends of the top girders; and a plurality of bottom girders each having a proximal and a distal end, each of the plurality of bottom girders being configured to be mechanically fastened to each other at their proximal ends and each of the plurality of bottom girders being configured to be mechanically fastened to the plurality of top girders; wherein the girder assembly and at least one of the plurality of attachment points of the hub are configured to be mechanically fastened to each other; one or more purlins configured to be mechanically fastened to the plurality of top girders in between the proximal and distal ends of the top girders.
 2. The solar panel mounting system of claim 1, wherein the girder assembly further comprises: a hub girder configured to be mechanically fastened to the at least one of the plurality of attachment points of the hub.
 3. The solar panel mounting system of claim 2, wherein one or more of: the plurality of top girders, the plurality of bottom girders, and the hub girder are configured to be mechanically fastened to any component of the solar mounting system indirectly.
 4. The solar panel mounting system of claim 1, wherein the hub is a first hub, and further comprising: a second hub.
 5. The solar panel mounting system of claim 2, wherein the hub girder comprises a first hub girder which is configured to be mechanically fastened to the proximal ends of the plurality of top girders, and further comprising; a second hub girder configured to be mechanically fastened to the proximal ends of the plurality of bottom girders.
 6. The solar panel mounting system of claim 1, wherein the one or more purlins comprises a first purlin and a second purlin, and wherein the plurality of top girders comprises two top girders, each of the first and second purlin being configured to be mechanically fastened to each of the two top girders, and wherein: the first purlin is configured to be mechanically fastened to each of the two top girders closer to the distal ends of the two top girders than to the proximal ends of the two top girders, and the second purlin is configured to be mechanically fastened to each of the two top girders in between the first purlin and the proximal ends of the two top girders.
 7. The solar panel mounting system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of bottom girders comprises a first bottom girder and a second bottom girder, and wherein: the proximal ends of the first bottom girder and the second bottom girder are configured to be mechanically fastened to a second purlin.
 8. The solar panel mounting system of claim 2, wherein the proximal ends of the plurality of top girders and the hub girder are configured to be mechanically fastened to each other by one or more girder plates.
 9. The solar panel mounting system of claim 2, wherein one or more of the plurality of attachment points of the hub are configured to be mechanically fastened to both a hub girder of the girder assembly and a pole retained within the receptacle by bolts.
 10. The solar panel mounting system of claim 1, wherein the one or more purlins is configured to be mechanically fastened to a solar panel.
 11. The solar panel mounting system of claim 1, further comprising an electronics and connectivity box, the electronics and connectivity box being configured to: be mechanically fastened to one or more of the girder assembly or the hub, and house electrical connections of a solar panel.
 12. The solar panel mounting system of claim 11, wherein the electronics and connectivity box further comprises one or more of: an audio speaker, a light, a wireless communication transceiver, and a fan, wherein any of the one or more of the audio speaker, the light, the wireless communication transceiver, and the fan are configured to be powered by a solar panel attached to the girder assembly.
 13. The solar panel mounting system of claim 1, further comprising: one or more shade panels configured to be mechanically fastened to one or more of: the girder assembly, the hub, and the pole.
 14. A solar panel mounting system comprising: one or more girder assemblies configured to be mechanically fastened to one or more hubs, the one or more hubs configured to be mechanically fastened to a pole, wherein the one or more girder assemblies are: configured to be mechanically fastened to and to support the weight of two or more solar panels, each of the two or more solar panels being spaced equidistantly from at least one other solar panels in relation to the pole; and the one or more girder assemblies comprise: a plurality of top girders each having a proximal end and a distal end, each of the plurality of top girders being configured to be mechanically fastened to each other at their proximal ends, and each of the plurality of top girders having a distance between the distal ends of the top girders that is greater than a distance between the proximal ends of the top girders; a plurality of bottom girders each having a proximal and a distal end, each of the plurality of bottom girders being configured to be mechanically fastened to each other at their proximal ends and each of the plurality of bottom girders being configured to be mechanically fastened to the plurality of top girders; and one or more purlins configured to be mechanically fastened to the plurality of top girders in between the proximal and distal ends of the top girders.
 15. The solar panel mounting system of claim 14, further comprising: an electronics and connectivity box configured to: be mechanically fastened to one or more of the one or more girder assemblies or the one or more hubs, and house electrical connections of a solar panel.
 16. The solar panel mounting system of claim 14, wherein the one or more girder assemblies are configured to mechanically fasten to the two or more solar panels such that each of the two or more solar panels is mounted at an angle and a planar surface of each of the two or more solar panels is on a different plane than a planar surface of at least one other of the two or more solar panels.
 17. The solar panel mounting system of claim 16, wherein each of the two or more solar panels is mounted at an angle wherein a proximal end, nearest the pole, of the solar panel, is higher than a distal end, furthest away from the pole, of the solar panel.
 18. The solar panel mounting system of claim 14, wherein the system is configured to mount six or more solar panels in a radial configuration.
 19. The solar panel mounting system of claim 18, wherein the system is configured to mount the six or more solar panels a radial configuration substantially equidistantly from each other.
 20. The solar panel mounting system of claim 15, wherein the one or more girder assemblies is configured to house wiring from one or more solar panels to the electrical and connectivity box.
 21. The solar panel mounting system of claim 15, wherein the electrical and connectivity box comprises one or more of: an AC-to-DC converter and a DC-to-AC converter.
 22. The solar panel mounting system of claim 15, wherein the electrical and connectivity box comprises one or more of: an audio speaker, a light, a wireless communication transceiver, and a fan, wherein any of the one or more of the audio speaker, the light, the wireless communication transceiver, and the fan are configured to be powered by a solar panel attached to the one or more girder assemblies.
 23. The solar panel mounting system of claim 14, wherein the system, having solar panels mounted on it, is configured to be electrically connected to an AC mains power supply.
 24. The solar panel mounting system of claim 14, further comprising: a solar-powered vehicle battery charger.
 25. The solar panel mounting system of claim 14, further comprising: a shade configured to be mechanically fastened to one or more of: the girder assembly, the hub, and the pole.
 26. A solar panel mounting system comprising: a hub comprising: a receptacle in a center portion of the hub shaped to receive a pole; and a plurality of attachment points affixed to an exterior side of the receptacle; and a girder assembly comprising: a top girder having a proximal end and a distal end, each of the top girders being configured to be mechanically fastened to the hub at its proximal end; and a bottom girder having a proximal and a distal end, the bottom girder being configured to be mechanically fastened to the hub at its proximal end and configured to be mechanically fastened to the top girder at its distal end; a purlin configured to be mechanically fastened to the top girder and configured to be mechanically fastened to a second purlin from a second girder assembly.
 27. The solar panel mounting system of claim 26, wherein: the purlin is configured to be mechanically fastened in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the top girder.
 28. The solar panel mounting system of claim 26, wherein the girder assembly further comprises: a hub girder configured to be mechanically fastened to one or more of: the top girder and the bottom girder. 